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Indonesia

Jakarta, on the island of Java in Indonesia, sprawls over 25 kilometres (15 miles) from the docks to the suburbs of South Jakarta. The city centre fans out from around Merdeka Square, a grand, barren field, which contains the central gold-tipped landmark of the National Monument (Monas). Jakarta doesn't really have a centre: rather there are a number of centres all separated by vast traffic jams, incredible pollution and heat. For most visitors, the area south of the monument holds most interest. Jl Thamrin is the main shopping and deluxe hotel thoroughfare, while just to the east is the main restaurant and cheap hotel area.

Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport is 35 kilometres (21 miles) west of the city centre, and there are bus stations around the outskirts of town.

i am a lady, you know

My memories of Jakarta are mixed. I remember the underpass I was warned to avoid due to the fairly aggressive transvestites - one member of staff lost his shirt, and nearly a whole lot more, when he ignored the warnings.

rock star

I also remembered the model world I visited, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.

It was interesting, but the highlight had to be when a group of local tourists approached me, cameras in hand, and asked me if I was a rock star.

They had obviously been fooled by my cropped bleached-blond hair and bright shirt.

swimming

One of my colleagues was fit, and did a lot of running. When we went for a dip in the hotel's swimming pool, he challenged me to a race. Now this was before I had developed diabetes, and I weighed several stone more than I do now, but I have always loved swimming. He was very surprised to find himself comfortably outpaced, but I wasn't sure how to take his comment, "You're a lot fitter than you look!"

if music be the food of love...

Whilst staying at the Hotel Kartika Plaza, I also remember being kept awake by a very amorous couple in the next room. The noise was incredible and every time it died down, I went back to sleep, only to be woken up again, only a few minutes later. This went on for a few nights, but I never saw the lovers - if, indeed, they ever ventured out of their room. I was shattered - god only knows how tired they must have been!

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: : © Mike Bliss 2008